Michael Holt, 54, was found dead 700 miles into the trip (Picture: Wales News Service)
A dad has been found dead in his boat while taking on a 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic.
Michael Holt, 54, who lived in Wirral, died 700 miles into the trip while rowing from Spain’s Gran Canaria to Barbados.
He set off on January 25 in his boat called the ‘True Blue’ and the trip was expected to take 55 days.
Michael’s brother David said: ‘Last night the fishing vessel Noruego accepted a tasking from Cape Verde Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and made directly for Michael’s coordinates.
‘Very sadly, upon arrival, Michael was found dead inside his cabin.
‘Of course this was not the ultimate conclusion we were looking for, but I am somewhat comforted knowing he died doing something he absolutely wanted to do with a passion and managed to row in excess of 700 miles in the process. An achievement in itself.
‘This is a huge shock to myself, his wife Lynne and daughter Scarlett and my parents, not to mention wider family and friends.
‘Many thanks for the kind words and wishes that you have already sent us during the past few days. They mean a great deal to all the family.’
The dad had type 1 diabetes and was taking on the challenge to raise money for charity (Picture: Wales News Service)
His JustGiving page says: ‘I will be rowing for over 16 hours a day and will survive on under four hours of sleep per day. This voyage could take from 50 – 110 days to complete.
‘I will be 54 when I begin the voyage, and by then, I will have been training for over two years.’
Michael, originally from Porthmadog, North Wales, had type 1 diabetes and was taking on the challenge to raise money for Mind and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services.
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